Disney World furious after report of wealthy people hiring disabled to skip lines

It has been a tough week for Disney: first they had to withdraw their copyright filing of 'Dia de los Muertos" because so many mexican american were outraged that Disney tried to copyright a religious and cultural Latin America tradition, then arrived the Merida re-look problem and Disney finally announced today that the new look of Merida was cancelled - as a petition was signed by 200.000 people (!), and finally arrived the "rich hiring disabled people to cut lines at WDW" scandal, but this time it's not Disney which is to blame.

A company called Dream Tours Florida was proposing WDW guide tours for $1000 a day, which is already insane, but wait the best is yet to come as the guides were disabled people! ...thanks to whom the rich families were able to cut lines as disabled guests have a special access on all rides. It looks like a summit of cynism, and it is. Disney is of course furious and promised to take legal actions against this infamous guide tours but all medias are already talking about this. And this was revealed by Wednesday Martin, an author from New York that you can see in the CNN video below, who released this story curiously at the time of release of her new book precisely talking about the crazy "1%" rich people! Cynism is everywhere indeed.

Videos: copyright CNN, RT

Editor's Note: HKDL Mystic Manor had its Grand Opening celebration today and you'll find below not less than four great articles with new pictures and videos to celebrate this event!

HKDL Mystic Point Grand Opening Celebration

Hong Kong Disneyland had its Grand Opening celebration today...under the rain as it was a rainy day over Hong Kong! That didn't stopped Guests of Honor the Honorable John Tsang, Financial Secretary, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Mr. Bill Ernest, President and Managing Director, Asia Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to declare Mystic Point officially open. Each of the guests of Honor then placed a key on the top of the box in front of them...

...and magically the box opened revealing Mystic Manor's music box, which is at the center of the ride story.

“Today we mark the completion of Hong Kong Disneyland’s current expansion project on a high note with the opening of Mystic Point. This one-of-a-kind themed area has never been seen in any of our Disney parks worldwide,” said Bill Ernest.“For the first time, guests can immerse themselves in a unique adventure of theatrical wonders that combines traditional storytelling with innovative technology and special effects. The ‘Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage’ in Mystic Manor is by far the most sophisticated ride system in Disney’s history".  

The story of Mystic Point follows the adventures of eccentric explorer and art collector Lord Henry Mystic, who invites guests to board the Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage for a tour of his private museum located within his Victorian manor. When Lord Henry’s companion, his monkey Albert, mischievously opens a newly acquired magical music box, the enchanted Music Dust within is released and, accompanied by a haunting tune created by renowned composer Danny Elfman, a mysterious journey begins.

Here is the whole HKDL press release and do not miss below my three others articles posted today to celebrate the opening of Mystic Point, with new pictures and videos: 

With the addition of Toy Story Land in 2011, Grizzly Gulch in 2012 and Mystic Point this year, the size of Hong Kong Disneyland has increased by almost 25%, further enhancing its appeal with over 100 attractions, entertainment facilities and shows.

Since April, the Park has arranged a series of preview days for more than 30,000 guests, including Magic Access members, trade partners, business partners, Cast Members and their families, media, bloggers and celebrities. The preliminary feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing Mystic Point as a truly mysterious journey that is full of surprises. Guests were particularly intrigued by the Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage, the dark ride within Mystic Manor, which blends beautiful visuals with fascinating special effects.Based on a survey conducted among 2,700 travel trade partners who attended the three-day trade preview, 94% of  agents believed their clients will like Mystic Point and 89% of them felt their guests would choose a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland because of this new themed area.

To celebrate the opening of Mystic Point in Hong Kong, a creative advertising campaign will be launched to bring viewers on a journey to unlock the mystery of Mystic Point. In addition to traditional advertising medium such as TV, print and out-of-home media, the resort will also leverage interactive media to create an innovative communications strategy to entice consumers to visit Mystic Point. These include an online video with illusions and surprises to netizen, a TV program allowing viewers to interact using their smartphones and the use of convenience store displays as interactive gallery walls.

The mystery of Mystic Point will extend its reach to select overseas markets. A consumer event will be held at the end of May in Jakarta, Indonesia – the first of its kind in this location. Publicity activities in other markets, including Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and India,are also in the pipeline. For the travel trade community, over 2,000 partners will be engaged through webinars and in-market trade launch events in Mainland China, Taiwan and Korea.The Park will also collaborate with some prominent TV programs in Mainland China.

 “The successful completion of the three new themed areas marks a milestone for Hong Kong Disneyland and the travel industry. We are confident that Mystic Point, along with Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch, will be the key drivers of growth for our Resort. As Walt Disney once said, ‘Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.’ The same applies to Hong Kong Disneyland, which will continue to grow, contribute to Hong Kong’s economy and create countless magical experiences for guests of all ages and origins,” said Andrew Kam.

Mystic Point is comprised of the iconic Mystic Manor, which features one of the most sophisticated ride systems ever built by Disney; a themed photo area called Garden of Wonderswith mystifying 3D illusions; the Explorer’s Club Restaurant, which offers international cuisines ranging from Korean and Japanese to Halal food in exotic surroundings; The Archive Shop, where guests can purchase exclusive novelty items and collectibles; and the Mystic Point Freight Depot, where Lord Henry’s grandnephews share with guests stories from their adventures with Lord Henry. 

Pictures: copyright Disney

HKDL Mystic Point Grand Opening : The Explorer's Club Restaurant and Archives Shop

In this third part of my today's Mystic Point article series celebrating the opening of Mystic Point at HKDL we will have a closer look at the Explorer's Club restaurant and Archives merchandise shop.

The Explorer's Club is Mystic Point main restaurant. Although i've been told that some of the artifacts of the beloved WDW Pleasure Island Adventurer's Club have found a new home at HKDL Mystic Point, the Explorer's Club is just what it is supposed to be, i.e the land restaurant with different rooms themed on different countries, Egypt, Morocco, Russia, China, and more...

Next to the Explorer's Club is The Archives shop, Mystic Manor merchandise shop, and this one looks pretty cool and with an interesting architecture and theming.

Even better, it seems that you'll be able to find some really cool merchandise at The Archives shop, including some inspired by a scene of the ride like this darts game with Albert the monkey, inspired by the ride tikis room scene.

Inside the Magic has posted a video in which HKDL Imagineers will tell you more about the new land and the Explorer's Club as well as The Archives shop!




Pictures: copyright Disney

Video: copyright Disney - Inside the Magic

HKDL Mystic Point Grand Opening : Mystic Point Garden of Wonders

Here is the second article in my Mystic Point series articles to celebrate the Grand Opening today and tomorrow of HKDL new land. The part one is below, and in this part two we will have a closer look to the other magical area of Mystic Point, the Garden of Wonders, a garden with antiques artifacts delivering optical illusions that HKDL guests can enjoy.

In the Garden of Wonders, several ancient sculptures and mosaics with unbelievable 3D illusions are displayed. Guests must view them from particular angles to unlock their mysteries, which offer the most bewildering and mystifying photo-taking experiences! Anamorphic sculpture and bas-relief anamorphic pylons which looks separated in three pieces but when one look at them from a precise angle the pieces magically come together like if they were one. 

As vast as Lord Henry’s collection is, precious artifacts from different historical backgrounds are temporarily stored at the Mystic Point Freight Depot, artifacts with which guests can have fun by putting their face at the right place. 

Mystic Point Freight Depot is also the place where Lord Henry’s grandnephews share stories with Guests from their adventures with Lord Henry. They have also invited friends they have met along the way to join them, and cultural ambassadors appear in traditional Native American, Egyptian, Bulgarian, Indian and Mexican attire, further enhancing the exotic international flavor of Mystic Point.

I have a great new video to share with you, probably the best i've seen so far showing Mystic Point and you'll see the Garden of Wonders as well as the whole new land like never before. The video also include the show at Mystic Point Freight Depot as well as the whole Mystic Manor ride!




Pictures: copyright Disney

Video: copyright stgemmy

HKDL Mystic Point Grand Opening : Mystic Manor Ride Vehicles : How It Works

Mystic Point is having its Grand Opening today and tomorrow at Hong Kong Disneyland and we're going to celebrate this new land with several articles with new great pictures and videos. In this first article we will have a closer look at the vehicle ride system and more specifically the routes of the different vehicles thanks to a perfect video from Mightymightykyt. 

As you may have seen in the previous Mystic Manor videos posted here the attraction use a trackless ride system and four vehicles enter the opening scene before moving next to the others scenes. But how do they move exactly, and in which order, this is what the well done video below will show you! 

By the way, Disneyland Paris fans should have a closer look at this video as the Ratatouille ride opening next year at the WDS will use the same kind of ride system...

Picture: copyright Disney

Video: copyright Mightymightykyt

WDW Magic Kingdom "A Pirate Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas" Scavenger Hunt Looks Really Cool

The new WDW Magic Kingdom interactive game "A Pirate Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas" opened recently and i have to say that it really looks pretty cool. One of the reason might come not only from the "Pirates" theme but also that it is located in Adventureland. I think that this kind of scavenger hunt fits better in Adventureland. 

Of course the Pirates theme is just perfect for this but i have to say that WDI Imagineers did a really great job and all the special effects whether they are small ones or others more sophisticated are wonderfully done. Yes, it's just a scavenger hunt, but it's the one you could dream of when you were a kid, with a bit more of technology in it. 

  

So let's have a look at it with some Youtube videos recently filmed and i also repost below the great concept-art, this time in high-def, so click on it to see it in big size.

The first video is from Walt Disney Imagineering with WDI Imagineers  Jonathan Ackley and Matt Beiler talking about this new interactive quest.

"In the game, the fate of piracy in the Caribbean rests in the hands of new pirate recruits, who, armed with magic talismans and treasure maps, embark on five different pirate raids throughout Adventureland to collect valuable treasures, while Captain Jack Sparrow’s magic compass guides them".

There is five different Pirates raids and the videos below shows four of them with, of course, what's happening and the different effects, so spoilers ahead.

Each guests receives a talisman - a RFID card - and a map and here is an example of one, click on it to explore in in big size. Picture from Touringplans.com.

There we go for the videos and the two first ones are from the always excellent Jeff Lange and show the "Heads You Lose" raid and then the "Blackbeard" raid.

The two next videos are from WDW News Today and show the "King's Ransom" raid and then the "Guardian's Curse" raid, and you better don't miss the cool final effect of this one.

I don't know what you think of all this but personally i really like it a lot. And i think that it would be very welcome if they would introduce something similar at Disneyland Paris Adventureland!

Artwork : copyright Disney

Videos : copyright Disney, Jeff Lange, WDW News Today